I’m Robby, and I’m a non-native English speaker. Throughout my entire life I’ve always wanted to speak in English fluently, but because of the way English is taught in schools, I always struggled with my spoken English.

Then, one fine day, after years of constant pursuit of English fluency, I realized the key aspect of spoken English improvement – learning English phrases and word combinations instead of studying grammar rules and trying to construct sentences in your head from scratch!

If you’re interested in improving your English fluency too, please check out the English Harmony System which is a product I created to help all my fellow foreigners to better their spoken English and achieve so much more in professional, social and personal life.

English Idiomatic Expression: “Here’s the thing”

Today’s English idiomatic expression is “Here’s the thing”, and it’s a great way of starting a conversation or approaching someone!

It’s especially handy in situations when you’re unsure of how to ask for a favor or say something that the other person mightn’t like to hear. Also, you can use this sentence starter when you’re opposing the other person’s opinion, and to hear how exactly it’s done – please watch the video above where I’m providing sample sentences starting with the phrase “Here’s the thing”!

This idiomatic expression is another one of those you won’t probably find in many idiom lists; however, it doesn’t make it less useful.

In fact, I think it’s as useful and practical as any typical idiom – such as “At the end of the day”, for example – and just because you can easily guess its meaning doesn’t make it less efficient.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what you said in terms of English.

I’m guessing what your friends referred to was you saying that Kobe isn’t young anymore – maybe they thought you’re only joking and then they said you’re classic which is to be perceived as a compliment!

Regards,

Robby

Tomasz Nason

Hi Robbie!

I had attempt using this with friends at bar last night . We were talking of our favorite basketball players. My friend Nik said he like Kobey Bryant most and I said “here’s the thing… Kobe not young anymore!” Nik and my other friend (they speak better english than me) all laughed and said I was classic. What did they mean? Was this not proper usage?

Thanks a lot for the positive feedback, and well done on your fluency improvement!

It’s a no-brainer that if one follows this advice and takes action, one will reap the benefits of all sorts of fluency gains, and I’m sure you’ll keep improving your English in the months and years to come!

jose

I´ve been following and learning some idioms in this webpage for several months. After taking some tips of improving fluency and practicing them I can assure you it works, and I´m able to use some of these idioms effortlessly..here´s the thing, it´s a very useful work a man has doing to help people like me and I´m very grateful for that

I know very well what he means – just read the first two sentences of his comment once more. You don’t even need to be reading in between the lines to see the sarcasm and dismissive attitude towards everything I do here on my blog. Basically what he’s saying is – I don’t believe it’s possible to speak with others using the idiomatic expressions you’re teaching, and unless you prove otherwise I don’t believe it’s a feasible way of improving one’s fluency! Hence my response about proving myself.

Francisco Javier

I think he means that he would like to see videos where you interact with other speakers. It’s not about proving oneself.

I don’t have to prove myself to you or anybody else, that’s all there is to it.

artmots

I really don’t understand what relations have got your fluency idea to the understanding of an english or american or irish speach. We have seen lots of your one-actor-play pictures. Could you please show us a one when you talk to an Irish man/a woman in a real lifÐµ? Please do not forget to fill this talk up with all the phrasal exprsions you have taught us through.. Thank you. Here is the thing!